Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued a statement saying that 72 people had their citizenship revoked for causing "damage to the interests of the Kingdom" and acting "in a manner that is contrary to the duty of allegiance to it," reported the Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
"Each citizen of Bahrain has the responsibility to act in ways that do not harm the interests of the Kingdom of Bahrain," the statement said.
Bahrain's Sunni monarchy has repeatedly revoked the nationality of citizens deemed a threat to the country's security but Saturday's decision was the largest to date.
The move comes just days after Human Rights Watch said in a report that Bahraini courts convicted and imprisoned peaceful protesters, with long prison sentences imposed for vague terrorism charges. The report said Bahraini justice system failed to address disproportionate and lethal use of force by the security forces.
Since 2011, Bahrain has been mired in Shia Muslim uprisings against its Sunni leaders. The protests resulted in brutal crackdowns on the opposition.
